Elegant People Are All Wearing the Summer Scarf Trend Right Now

In the height of summer, when your makeup has melted off by the time your tube journey is over and you’ve sweated through your cotton tee after a 5 minute jaunt, you’ll likely feel pretty desperate to lose the layers. Whilst in theory, this makes perfect sense, it’s not what I’m here to recommend.

Is it just me or does every chic outfit right now involve a scarf? Of course I’m not talking about the woolly or cashmere styles that we recoil into all winter. The summer scarves I’m seeing are lightweight, composed of silks, satins or cottons, and offer more styling versatility than you might initially think.

Adding a glamorous edge to your looks in ways no other accessory could, the summer scarf trend is one I’m seeing more and more of now as classic style continues to dominate the fashion agenda. Why not give your beachside style a major upgrade by folding a small square scarf into a neat triangle and securing it around your hair just like the movie stars in old black and white movies. For an elegant touch that even Audrey Hepburn would be proud of, secure any excess fabric around your neck, creating a seamless finish whilst keeping your neck protected against the glaring sun.

For a more low-key but equally stylish look, fold a square scarf into a triangle and drape it over your head before securing the ends either under your chin or at the nape of your neck. Honing ’70s charm in the chicest way, this subtle addition can lift any look into style-icon territory.

Clearly big news this season, I’ve spotted countless influencers style the summer scarves both abroad and at home. Wearing well with the floating dresses and printed layers we typically reserve for holidaywear, the trend also works beautifully when paired with more casual looks, too, including jeans and tank tops.

Tapping in to several overarching trends, the summer scarf trend marries the quiet luxury aesthetics with a nostalgic edge and playful touch. If you’re anything like me, then you, too spent your youth draping scarves across your shoulders, adhering clip on earrings to your small lobes and slipping into somebody else’s pair of high heels at any given opportunity. For me, the summer scarf trend will always elicited the same excitable feeling of dressing up as it did when I was a child.

Further fuelling my need to invest in this key summer accessory, both designer and high street brands are serving up an eclectic range of lightweight scarves. From COS’s pretty style to Rouje’s lemon-embellished design, read on to shop our favourite pieces below. But first, continue scrolling to discover how influencer are styling the summer scarf trend right now.